President Bush (file photo)

U.S. President George Bush used his weekly radio address Saturday to outline his administration's response to the country's economic problems.

The president noted that growth was slower in the first three months of the year, at six-tenths of a percent, but said his administration saw the slowdown coming and has been taking decisive action.

Mr. Bush said more than seven million Americans this week received tax rebates as part of an economic stimulus plan that he says will help offset the rising costs of food and gas.

Democratic Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana attributed the country's lagging economy to overspending on the war in Iraq. In his party's radio address the congressman said even a fraction of the billions of dollars spent in Iraq could have helped the U.S. out of its economic slump.

President Bush also said more could be done to ease the burden of what he called an "uncertain economy." To increase domestic energy supply, he urged Congress to allow oil drilling in northern Alaska, and to clear away obstacles to the use of nuclear power.

Some information for this report was provided by and Reuters.